135i Strut Tower Brace

[shah269]

Im sorry Im at work and well work for some reason kills search functions on forums.
What Strut Tower Brace would you guys recommend?
Anything out there in the $200-$300 range?
I'm looking for function not bling.

[splitsecond]

Most of them are in the $200-300 range... just do a quick eBay search. You can get the OEM BMW Performance one for about $230. IIRC, there's another one on eBay in the $150ish range.

But FWIW, a lot of people say that a strut tower brace should be the last suspension mod that you do, after the rear subframe bushings, the front control arms, etc.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by shah269

Im sorry Im at work and well work for some reason kills search functions on forums.
What Strut Tower Brace would you guys recommend?
Anything out there in the $200-$300 range?
I'm looking for function not bling.

M3 one from HPA is apparently the best

For a cheaper one, just about any, they're all pretty stiff 2-points, bmwp one is $200ish i think?

[shah269]

I live in NJ so our roads are shit on a good day...horrible on a bad day.
So any mod i do just makes the car that much worse to drive!
The best thing you can do to improve your rid here in NJ is to go with a smaller tire and thicker side walls! No joke that bad!

On my old 03 1.8t WB Jetta the first and only think I did was get a nice no frills ECS strut tower brace. And I'm telling you, 130k miles in NJ and that car stayed square!
In nj you really need one.

So BMW makes OEM ones? Will I need a dealer to install it?

[shah269]

Oh...just googled it and well google says that a strut tower brace will not fit on the 135 due to the air box getting in the way...shucks!

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by shah269

Oh...just googled it and well google says that a strut tower brace will not fit on the 135 due to the air box getting in the way...shucks!

M3 one will (doesn't go over the top)

Bmw one will

Lots of others will, just gotta make sure

[andrey_gta]

apparently select few e9x ones can fit. Make sure you seek 335i fit
See e87 section
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...&postcount=122

[MteK]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

apparently select few e9x ones can fit. Make sure you seek 335i fit
See e87 section
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...&postcount=122

The one in your link wont fit. The N54 airbox gets in the way. And even if you can get one that clears the top of the airbox it will still knock on it while driving, and that get annoying.

A curved one (like oem) will let you open your oil cap but you still need to remove it to access your air filter. Seems like a lot of work and the 2-point makes no perceivable difference performance wise.

If anything, get the M3 strut from HP if you are are looking for function. I've done both and the m3 version is far more functional.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by MteK

I've done both and the m3 version is far more functional.

Thanks for the insight. Its easy to get caught up in group think on forums.

For us 128i/130i guys the brace in the link looks a lot like the brace used by 130i challenge racers

for 135i yes its cumbersome and blocks the air filter.

[shah269]

I'm a little lost and i can't find squat via google. can some one link me please?
All i can find is the curves super expensive CF BMW one

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by shah269

I'm a little lost and i can't find squat via google. can some one link me please?
All i can find is the curves super expensive CF BMW one

This is the M3 strut tower brace for 135i.

http://www.hpashop.com/BMW-128i-135i...tbrace-e82.htm

[My135]

I like AA Struct bar ...

http://store.activeautowerke.com/act...race-p210.aspx

[HP Autowerks]

Originally Posted by shah269

Im sorry Im at work and well work for some reason kills search functions on forums.
What Strut Tower Brace would you guys recommend?
Anything out there in the $200-$300 range?
I'm looking for function not bling.

What you want to look for is a design that is without any hinges or heim-joints. You may also want to consider clearance for the hood and air box. If you have an adjustable suspension or camber plates, you will want to make sure the brace you install does not interfere with any adjustments you might want to perform.

Feel free to add anything I may have missed.

[shah269]

http://store.activeautowerke.com/act...race-p210.aspx
this one fits?

[shah269]

christ on a cracker anyone who drives in NJ you are going to need this...wow i can see the front of the car flex around some of our roads due to uneven roads and potholes...wooohh!
OK so other than the $15k carbon fiber model is there a nice $300 model i can use?

[WhiteTgr135i]

Cusco makes a nice strut brace for the e82 that's under 300$;

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/c...-p-145618.html

[B-Dawg]

I have the one from Turner. It's ok.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW-...ut-braces.aspx

[Focusedintntions]

The best one hands down is the m3 brace that hpa sells.

[shah269]

google is being a bitch can you please link me?
and does any one have any photos of a BONE stock 135 with the brace installed?
what gets me is that even the 1M does not come stock with a tower brace.
How odd is that?

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by shah269

google is being a bitch can you please link me?
and does any one have any photos of a BONE stock 135 with the brace installed?
what gets me is that even the 1M does not come stock with a tower brace.
How odd is that?

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...1&postcount=11

[shah269]

Just not a big fan of that one...something seems off with it....I don't think it would really tighen the top end from twisting.

[Focusedintntions]

Really this cars chassis is stiff enough that on the street it's not needed..there's not perf benefit. If you just want the look of one though go for it. Personally the 1M/m3 brace is the best bang for the buck.